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Summary
Michigan State University is a public institution that was founded in 1855. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 36,058, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 5,192 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Michigan State University's ranking in the 2012 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 71. Its in-state tuition and fees are $12,203 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $31,148 (2011-12).
Michigan State University is a powerhouse institution located in the college town of East Lansing. Downtown, students can choose from dining and nightlife options, and the city is also home to the Great Lakes Folk Festival. Lake Michigan and its beaches are a short trip away, as is the state capital of Lansing. The Michigan State Spartans compete in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference, supported by award-winning mascot Sparty. There are more than 600 student clubs and organizations, including more than 55 fraternities and sororities. Members of the Greek community are active in the local community through events like Safe Halloween, an annual carnival for children in East Lansing. All students can get involved in service-learning and volunteer projects throughout East Lansing like Fill the Bus, an annual campaign to stuff a Spartan-green school bus full of food and school supplies for underprivileged children. The university is home to the largest student residence area in the country, and freshmen must live on campus unless they reside with a family member no more than 50 miles from school. To study farther afield, students can take advantage of more than 200 study abroad programs.
Among its graduate programs is the highly ranked College of Education and well-regarded Eli Broad Graduate School of Management. Michigan State was the first land-grant institution in the country, and became a model for other federally funded schools that devote energy to research projects for the surrounding communities. The school’s sustainability effort, Be Spartan Green, has earned national recognition. In a similar vein, Michigan State is also home to the nation’s only environmental journalism organization, a solar car racing team, and a student-run organic farm. Notable alumni of Michigan State include philanthropist Eli Broad, for whom the business school is named, and Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Senator from Michigan. Earvin “Magic” Johnson, basketball star of the Los Angeles Lakers, attended Michigan State for two years before being drafted for the NBA.
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Michigan State University has been advancing knowledge and transforming lives through innovative teaching, research, and outreach for over 150 years, and is known worldwide as a major public university with global reach and extraordinary impact. MSU's degree-granting colleges and affiliated law college offer top-ranked academic programs in a beautiful, park-like Big Ten campus and community setting. Undergraduate students can choose from more than 150 programs of study and have the opportunity to work with world-renowned faculty on research projects. MSU distinctions include one of the largest study abroad programs, one of the leading residence hall systems, one of the oldest and most prestigious honors colleges, and one of the largest and best career placement services in the nation. |
General Information
| School type | public, coed college |
| Year founded | 1855 |
| Religious affiliation | N/A |
| Academic calendar | semester |
| Setting | suburban |
| 2010 Endowment | $1,367,524,900 |
Applying
When applying to Michigan State University, it's important to note the application deadline is rolling. The application fee at Michigan State University is $50. It is more selective, with an acceptance rate of 70.0 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | more selective |
| Fall 2010 acceptance rate | 70% |
| Application deadline | rolling |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | N/A |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at Michigan State University is 16:1, and the school has 23.1 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Michigan State University include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Social Sciences; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; and Health Professions and Related Programs. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 91.0 percent.
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| Student-faculty ratio | 16:1 | ||||||||||
| 4-year graduation rate | 48% - Medium | ||||||||||
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Student Life
Michigan State University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 36,058, with a gender distribution of 48.1 percent male students and 51.9 percent female students. 40.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 60.0 percent of students live off campus. Michigan State University is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.
See what students are saying about life at Michigan State University.
| Total enrollment | 47,131 |
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| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA I |
Campus Info & Services
Michigan State University offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, day care, health service, and health insurance. Michigan State University also offers campus safety and security services like late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at Michigan State University.
| Students who have cars on campus | N/A |
| Health insurance offered | Yes |
| Students required to own/lease a computer | Yes |
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
At Michigan State University, 50.2 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $8,887.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.
| In-state tuition and fees | $12,203 (2011-12) |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $31,148 (2011-12) |
| Room and board | $8,154 (2011-12) - Medium |
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* Overview details based on 2010 data
